Is it possible to remove the entry for the desktop from Windows 7's Alt+Tab list? So far I have found a post telling me to add an entry to the registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/AltTabSettings

However, this reverts the Alt+Tab menu back to the Windows XP style where you don't get window previews. I just want to remove the desktop entry from the list.


Solution 1:

Not a fix, a replacement.

This might do it: http://insentient.net/

or: http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/windows-7vistaxp-alt-tab-replacement/

Solution 2:

Option A - without any software or registry hack

  1. Hold down the left alt key Press and release the right alt key
  2. keeping the left alt key held down Then, still keeping the left alt
  3. key held down, tab-tab-tab away


Option B - with a tool from lifehacker

System tweaking utility Alt+Tab Tuner


Option C - Registry Hack

Create a DWORD Value called AltTabSettings in HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer and set it to 1.

Gives the "old" XP styled Alt-Tab without desktop.

--

Found also a tip, love it: Windows Key + Tab for an over-the-top graphic preview.

Solution 3:

Is the reason you don't want Desktop in Alt+Tab, because of it interfering with cycling through windows you've minimized, and back?

IF SO: add these three commands to AutoHotKey, which allow you to still have Desktop entry in alt+tab, but with keyboard shortcuts, allows you to restore, in order, the windows that you minimize (in order):

#s::Send,{AltDown}{Esc}{AltUp}{LWinDown}

#a::
Send,{AltDown}{ShiftDown}{Esc}{ShiftUp}{AltUp}{LWinDown}
Sleep, 0
WinMaximize,A
return

#x::
WinMaximize,A
WinMinimize,A
return

Substitute the Win+S, Win+A and Win+X input keys for whatever you like. Full info, see my thread on the "solution" here.